Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site decwrl.DEC.COM Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-exit26!rosen From: rosen@exit26.DEC (Barry Rosen) Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: re: Newborn Advice for Two Novices Message-ID: <304@decwrl.DEC.COM> Date: Tue, 7-Jan-86 13:18:47 EST Article-I.D.: decwrl.304 Posted: Tue Jan 7 13:18:47 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Jan-86 20:17:27 EST Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation Lines: 63 I had reviewed your information request with my wife and was about 1/2 through with our response when I read an excellent reply to you by "A Boston Mom." It stated just about everything which we were going to say to you even down to recommending the NUK pacifiers. [They also make nipples should you decide to supplement with bottles.] I would like to add just a bit about our experiences with our son. o Powders: We decided not to use talcum powder. There was (and is) concern about the effect that talc (a mineral) might have on the lungs but more important few talcum based products are pure and contain other additives and perfumes. Most also contain other minerals notably lead which is found naturally along with the talc deposits. Unless things have changed Mennen (sp?) did have a pure talc but if I remember correctly it was a bath talc that contained a deodorant. One of my friends founds this for me in a technical journal but I also discovered this in an older issue of "Consumer Reports" magazine. Cornstarch makes a very good alternative to talcum powder. There are also lotions that do not have the perfumes added. I think that you will also find Desiden terrific. You will know at once that this is one of the products to which no perfume has been added! o Diapers: We found (compared to our friends who did not breast feed) that our son required changing more often. The stool was more watery but much less odorous. We found that God had a sense of humor, for all this changed when we introduced solid food! The disposable diaper is more expensive and sometimes babies have a problem with the chemicals with which many are treated. They are less work and more convenient. If you choose disposable, just be aware that should a rash develop, it might be to the diaper itself and not merely a "diaper rash." o Breast feeding: I enjoyed watching our son nurse. The look on his face was really extraordinary. [I guess relaxed, contented..] The book mentioned (The Womanly Art of Breast Feeding) is very good. So is La Leche League. Be sure your pediatrician will be supportive of breast feeding. It is more work for them and requires awareness and understanding. Too often, we heard of women giving-up breast feeding because their doctor told them to do so (possibly out of ignorance). The reason was that the woman needed to go on an antibiotic. There are antibiotics which can allow one to continue to breast feed and wherever possible, these should be prescribed to avoid interruption. If an interruption is absolutely necessary, it does not have to be the end of breast feeding. When we had questions for which we could not obtain satisfactory answers, we telephoned a local chapter of La Leche. They either had the answers or had one of their physicians call us back. They did this regardless of whether or not you are a member. Since we had no "local" support for breast feeding, (friends, etc.) we found this group very helpful. Looking back, we probably worried more about this than necessary. A positive attitude and being relaxed were important. My wife also found the hydrous lanolin important. It helps prevent cracking and relieving the tenderness that may develop until the nipples "toughen-up." Most people (including babies) are not allergic to the lanolin (which comes from wool). The jar will last you 10 years or 100,000 miles whichever comes first! As the Boston Mom said, most of the things you hear are probably not true so enjoy your baby and do what YOU believe is right. Happy future parenthood!